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Abstract:

A self-service terminal for storing currency, includes a detection unit,
an image capturing unit, a database, and a serial number reading unit.
The detection unit detects the currency. The image capturing unit is
connected to the detection unit, and captures an image of a side of the
currency on which a string of serial numbers are printed. The database is
connected to the image capturing unit. The database includes depositor's
information stored therein. The database saves the image therein. The
serial number reading unit is connected to the database. The serial
number reading unit captures the string of serial numbers from image. The
database saves the string of serial numbers therein, and associates the
string of serial numbers with the information of the depositor.

Claims:

1. A self-service terminal for storing currency therein, comprising: a
detection unit configured to detect the currency; an image capturing unit
connected to the detection unit, the image capturing unit configured to
capture an image of a side of the currency on which a string of serial
numbers are printed; a database connected to the image capturing unit,
the database comprising depositor's information stored therein, the
database configured to save the image captured by the image capturing
unit; and a serial number reading unit connected to the database, the
serial number reading unit configured to process the image to capture the
string of serial numbers of the currency; wherein the database is
configured to store the string of serial numbers, and to associate the
string of serial numbers with the depositor's information.

2. The self-service terminal of claim 1, wherein the database is
configured to store the depositor's information in a tag file, and the
database is configured to combine the string of serial numbers in the tag
file.

3. The self-service terminal of claim 2, wherein the database is
configured to combine information of a place and time about a transaction
of storing currency in the tag file.

4. The self-service terminal of claim 1, further comprising a cashbox,
wherein the cashbox is configured to store the currency therein.

5. The self-service terminal of claim 1, wherein the self-service
terminal is configured to reject the currency when the detection unit
determines the currency as being counterfeit.

6. A method of storing currency in a self-service terminal comprising
following steps: determining whether currency stored by a depositor is
counterfeit; rejecting the currency by the self-service terminal, if it
is determined that the currency is counterfeit; capturing an image of a
side of the currency on which a string of serial numbers are printed by
an image capturing unit, if it is determined that the currency is not
counterfeit; processing the image by a serial number reading unit to
capture the string of serial numbers; and storing the string of serial
numbers, and associating the string of serial numbers with a depositor's
information.

7. The method of storing currency of claim 6, wherein if the string of
serial numbers can not be successfully captured by the serial number
reading unit, image are associated with the depositor's information.

8. The method of storing currency of claim 6, wherein when the currency
is detected to be true, a cashbox saves the currency therein.

9. The method of storing currency of claim 6, wherein the depositor's
information is stored as a tag file, and a place and time about a
transaction of storing currency are combined in the tag file after the
image capturing unit captures the image.

10. A method of storing currency in a self-service terminal comprising
following steps: providing a detection unit, an image capturing unit, a
serial number reading unit, and a database; determining whether currency
stored by a depositor is counterfeit by the detection unit; rejecting the
currency by the self-service terminal, if it is determined that the
currency is counterfeit; capturing an image of a side of the currency on
which a string of serial numbers are printed by the image capturing unit,
if it is determined that the currency is not counterfeit; processing the
image to capture the string of serial numbers by the serial number
reading unit; and storing the string of serial numbers in the database,
and associating the string of serial numbers with a depositor's
information that is pre-stored in the database by the database.

Description:

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a self-service terminal and a
method for storing currency in the self-service terminal having a
function of tracing the source of counterfeit currency.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Self-service terminals are developed to process many daily
financial transactions, such as saving currency, withdrawing currency,
and inquiring account information. Therefore, the self-service terminal
must have a function of preventing fraud, such as detecting counterfeit
currency when the saving transaction is done. However, because there are
so many new counterfeit technologies, it is hard to keep up to date with
all of them. In some cases, the counterfeit currency can be wrongly
detected as not counterfeit currency and can be stored in the
self-service terminal, which causes losses to the bank, that possesses
the self-service terminal.

[0005] Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with
references to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are
not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon
clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the
drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the several views.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a block view of a self-service terminal in accordance
with an embodiment.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of storing currency in a
self-service terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of
limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like
references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references
to "an" or "one" embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the
same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, a self-service terminal in accordance with an
embodiment includes a detection unit 10, an image capturing unit 20, a
serial number reading unit 30, a database 40, and a cashbox 50.

[0011] The detection unit 10 detects whether a currency received by the
self-service terminal is counterfeit. If the detection unit 10 detects
the currency is counterfeit, the self-service terminal rejects the
storage of the currency. If the detection unit 10 detects the currency is
not counterfeit, the currency is sent to the image capturing unit 20.

[0012] The image capturing unit 20 is used to capture an image of the
currency that is sent from the detection unit 10. The side of the
currency, on which, a string of serial numbers are printed, is directed
towards the capturing unit 20. The image capturing unit 20 captures an
image of the side of the currency to get a corresponding image file.

[0013] The database 40 is connected to the image capturing unit 20. In one
embodiment, the database 40 pre-stores all of the depositors' information
of a bank which possesses the self-service terminal. In another
embodiment, the database 40 connects to a central database that stores
all of the depositors' information of the bank. In the database 40 or the
central database, the information of each depositor is stored as a tag
file. The tag files stores corresponding depositor's name, account, and
identification information. When the currency is sent to the image
capturing unit 20, the image capturing unit 20 captures an image of the
currency to generate a corresponding image file. Then, the image file,
time, and place of this transaction are combined into a tag file of the
depositor who saves the currency.

[0014] The serial number reading unit 30 is connected to the database 40.
The serial number reading unit 30 processes the image file stored in the
database 40 to capture the serial numbers. If the serial numbers are
clear, the serial number reading unit 30 can successfully capture the
serial numbers. However, if the serial numbers are not clear, the serial
number reading unit 30 cannot successfully capture the serial numbers.
When the serial numbers can successfully captured, the serial number
reading unit 30 notifies the database 40 to delete the corresponding
image file and sends the captured serial numbers to the database 40. The
database 40 combines the serial numbers in the corresponding tag file.
When the serial number reading unit 30 cannot successfully capture the
serial numbers, the serial number reading unit 30 notifies the database
40 to retain the corresponding image file.

[0015] The cashbox 50 is connected to the image capturing unit 20. The
cashbox 50 stores the currency after the image capturing unit 20 captures
the image of the currency.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, a flow chart of a method of processing
currency in the self-service terminal is shown.

[0017] In step S01, after a depositor deposits currency in the
self-service terminal, the detection unit 10 detects whether the currency
is counterfeit. If the currency is counterfeit, it goes to step S02; if
the currency is not counterfeit, it goes to step S03.

[0018] In step S02, the self-service terminal rejects the storing of the
currency.

[0019] In step S03, the currency is sent to the image capturing unit 20.
Then, it goes to step S04.

[0020] In step S04, an image of the side of the currency, on which a
string of serial numbers are printed, is captured by the image capturing
unit 20 to generate an image file. The image file is saved in the
database 40, and the currency is stored in the cashbox 50. Then, it goes
to step S05.

[0021] In step S05, the serial number reading unit 30 processes the image
file to tentatively capture the serial numbers. If the serial number
reading unit 30 successfully captures the serial numbers, it goes to step
S06. If the serial number reading unit 30 does not successfully capture
the serial numbers, it goes to step S07.

[0022] In step S06, the serial numbers are saved in the database 40, and
the image file corresponding to the serial number is deleted from the
database 40. Then, it goes to step S08.

[0023] In step S07, the serial number reading unit 30 notifies the
database 40 to retain the image file. Then, it goes to step S08.

[0024] In step S08, the serial numbers or the image file are associated
with the information of the depositor.

[0025] Therefore, after the currency is stored in the cashbox 50,
information about the currency that is saved in the database 40. If the
currency is found to be counterfeit later, the depositor who stored the
counterfeit currency can be easily found.

[0026] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in
the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and
function of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and
changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to
the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed.

[0027] Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps of methods
described may be removed, others may be added, and the sequence of steps
may be altered. It is also to be understood that the description and the
claims drawn to a method may include some indication in reference to
certain steps. However, the indication used is only to be viewed for
identification purposes and not as a suggestion as to an order for the
steps.